New Promising things from Microsoft

The flipside: Five things Microsoft is doing right in 2010

http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/hiner/?p=5016&tag=nl.e101

Tech Sanity Check
by Jason Hiner, Editor in Chief

The article discusses how these Microsoft applications have it right:

Office Web Apps
Automatic Mobile sync
Free antivirus and malware protection
Outlook 2010
SharePoint

Top-10-resources-for-computer-troubleshooting-advice-remote-help

MakeUseOf presents to you a list of websites and forums where people are willing to help you get your computer fixed.

http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/top-10-resources-for-computer-troubleshooting-advice-remote-help/

Free Microsoft Help!

A reminder from APCUG -
Did you know that Microsoft in the US will give free 7 by 24 support if you computer becomes infected with malwareyou. You just need to call 1-866-pcsafety (yes more that 7 numbers but you will remember the number that way).

http://blog.mir.net/2010/01/free-support-for-virus-malware-and.html

Windows 7 & Vista "God Mode"

Here is a tip on CNET:

Create a new folder (desktop is fine) and then rename it exactly the following --

GodMode.{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C}


After renaming, double-click on the folder and it will open to reveal one-stop shopping for access all of the operating system's control panels from within a single folder!

NOTE: Works on 32-bit Vista and Windows 7 but is said to crash 64-bit versions.

Original CNET story:
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13860_3-10423985-56.html--

Got a new computer? Install these nine programs right away

Start your new PC off right with high-rated free software.

New computer? Feed it a healthy diet of powerful software.

By Chris Gaylord Staff Writer for The Christian Science Monitor / January 7, 2010

http://www.csmonitor.com/Innovation/Tech-Culture/2010/0107/Got-a-new-computer-Install-these-nine-programs-right-away

ReadWriteWeb has some great suggestions: "8 Things Every Geek Needs to Do Before 2010". You don't need to consider yourself a "Geek" to take advantage of these good reminders!!!


http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/8_things_every_geek_needs_to_do_before_2010.php

Setting up a New PC

PC Magazines article: Make the Most of Your New PC has good suggestions.

"Unlike most electronic devices, which you can plug in and use instantly, PCs—particularly those with Windows—need some adjustment before they're ready for everyday use."


http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2337550,00.asp

Technology predictions 2010

The Technobabble Blog has put together a collection of technology predicitons for 2010 from IDC, Gartner, Screen Digest, Elemental Links, Freeform Dynamics, Quocirca, Interpret, CCS Insight, RedMonk, Juniper Research, Interpret, IDEAS International.

http://technobabble2dot0.wordpress.com/2009/12/03/technology-predictions-2010/

10 Obsolete technologies to kill in 2010

Here in Mike Elgan's column in Computerworld - he discusses 10 dumb technologies we should all get rid of in 2010:

I agree 100%! check it out..

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2009/12/24/urnidgns002570F3005978D8852576960057B8CB.DTL

10 Greatest Open Source Software Of 2009

Here is a good looking list of recommended software - free and open source...

http://www.cyberciti.biz/tips/10-greatest-open-source-software-of-2009.html

It includes a Inkscape, a graphics vector program, MIRO for Internet TV, GNU cash for financial management and several old favorites!

15 Free Programs recommended by MakeUseOf

MakeUseOf.com recommends these 15 Must-have Free software programs for your PC . After reviewing thousands of free software programs theis is the list of 15 absolute must-have tools for every day tasks that they have come up with.



Essential programs and they're FREE - our favorite kind.

http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/roundup-15-free-must-install-programs-for-your-new-pc/









Sandee

Help the Libraries - Now or Never

Please call or email the governor and our state legislators today! In the next few days they will be voting on a budget that could reduce library budgets by 50%.

The libraries have always been a friend of LCCUG - please do what you can to help!

Sandee Ruth

6/24/09

June 9 Meeting announcements

June 9 Meeting Announcements

LCCUG Picnic July 26, 2009 Days Dam 1 - 5
We will raffle the old "Hall" computer

• Motherboard: Gigabyte 7VRXP rev 2.0
  CPU: AMD Athlon XP 1900+ (1.61 GHz)
  Hard Drive: 60 GB
  Video card: Nvidia Riva TNT2 model 64 AGP (32 MB RAM)
  Memory: 256 MB DDR 266 (PC2100) (two more RAM slots open on motherboard)
  CD Burner: TDK CDRW
  OS: Windows XP SP3; Ubuntu Linux (dual boot setup)
  
  
  

Reminder - the current newsletter is available at http://www.lccug.com/newsletters/200906.pdf

LCCUG Membership page is at http://lccug.memberlodge.com/

Sandee will do Google at Lorain Library June 10 - at 2pm

see schedule of Library Programs -




Saturday, June 13 – Electronics Collection Day II
From 9 AM to 3 PM – Wellington Township Garage, 105 Maple Street, Wellington, Ohio 44090
Drop Off used personal computers and related items, cell phones, small office equipment,
And household televisions, audio equipment, and microwaves

About E-scrap
http://www.loraincounty.us/getdoc/8083e8a4-5d32-4ced-af5f-f5d7538bc109/E-scrap-02-09.aspx


Schedule of Upcoming Recycling days
http://www.loraincounty.us/getdoc/7d5d4a32-9a6b-47b1-be31-0513227b1e1c/LCSWMD-General-Schedule-of-Collection-Events-2009.aspx

May 12, 2009 Meeting

Links from last meeting

http://craigslist.com

http://freecycle.org

http://paperbackswap.com

Twitter with Sandee

Here is a link to the outline of the Twitter talk I gave at the April 28, 2009 meeting. There are links here that you can follow to review what was said.

http://exploretwitter.pbworks.com/


Sandee

Picnic Plans - save the date

Note the new location:

We have reserved the Days Dam (Lorain Metro Park) for Sunday, July 26, 2009 for 1 - 5 pm .

Directions:
http://www.loraincountymetroparks.com/maps/br_directions.htm

More details as the time gets closer.

Ohio Midwest Regional Meeting

The Annual APCUG Association of Computer User Groups will be held at the Ohio Midwest Regional in Neward, Ohio, on August 28, 29, & 30.

Initial information can be found here:
http://reports.apcug.org/2009q2/3.htm

For more information keep checking here:
http://ohiomidwest.apcug.org/

Conficker Virus/ worm

Here is a test to see if you have the infection:

http://www.confickerworkinggroup.org/infection_test/cfeyechart.html


Here is information on removing it if you do
http://www.nowpublic.com/tech-biz/conficker-c-worm-its-not-over-yet-testing-and-removal-tool

Here is an update as of April 10, 2009 to check out what is happening and what to do:
http://blogs.pcmag.com/securitywatch/2009/04/conficker_awakens_mutates_hust.php

sandee

E-CHECK IS RINGING IN THE NEW YEAR WITH A NEW CELL PHONE RECYCLING PROGRAM

E-Check adds yet another motorist convenience— recycling old cell phones and helping the environment

TWINSBURG, OH – January 14, 2009 – Northeast Ohioans now have a convenient place to take their old cell phones that might otherwise end up in local landfills. E-Check is rolling out a new cell phone recycling program. The program is another step towards E-Check’s goal of improving the environment— and it’s free and open to everyone.

Cell phones can be recycled at any of the 23 northeast Ohio E-Check stations. It’s especially convenient for motorists during their routine E-Check, but anyone can do it. Recycling is easy— simply put your phone in a postage-paid envelope provided by E-Check and place it in the station drop box or mailbox. As a token of thanks, motorists will receive a 15-minute long distance phone card for every phone recycled.

"By offering the cell phone recycling program, E-Check is providing people another opportunity to contribute to a greener environment," said Bob Hodanbosi, chief of the Division of Air Pollution Control at the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency.

The cell phones collected at Ohio E-Check stations will be salvaged or properly recycled so they don’t end up in a local landfill.

The cell phone recycling program is the latest in a stream of new customer conveniences from Ohio E-Check. Last fall, E-Check launched a program that replaces faulty or missing gas caps free of charge, helping many motorists pass their E-Check on the spot and immediately improving air quality.

"I believe many customers will welcome and appreciate another easy, free, convenient way to make a positive impact in our community," said Prentiss Taylor, general manager at Envirotest Systems, the company who manages the E-Check stations on behalf of Ohio EPA.

http://www.epa.state.oh.us/dapc/CellPhoneRecycling.pdf

Scamfinder

Scamfinder is a tool to learn about the most common scams against individuals and businesses. It is updated as new scams appear.

The site was compiled by Sheryl Harris, consumer affairs reporter for The Plain Dealer, Ohio's largest newspaper. It was designed by Felesia McDonald and William Neff.

You can read Sheryl's columns online. If you have a question about a scam or you suspect you were the victim of a scam you don't see in Scamfinder, e-mail Sheryl.